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How to Read QR Code from Images

ByChaknith Bin

October 13, 2024

Updated  June 1, 2025

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Reading a QR code refers to the process of scanning and decoding the information stored within a QR code. This is typically done using a camera or scanner paired with software that can interpret the QR code's data. The information in a QR code could be text, URLs, contact details, or other forms of data.

Read QR Codes from Images

One of IronQR's standout features is its built-in capability to read QR codes from various image formats seamlessly. This includes:

• Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG)
• Portable Network Graphics (PNG)
• Graphics Interchange Format (GIF)
• Tagged Image File Format (TIFF)
• Bitmap Image File (BMP)
• WBMP
• WebP
• Icon (ico)
• WMF
• RawFormat (raw)

This functionality is enabled by the open-source library, IronDrawing. Let's now explore how IronQR can be used to read QR codes from an image.

// Import necessary IronQR and IronDrawing namespaces
using IronSoftware.Drawing; 
using IronBarcode;

public class QRCodeReader
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        // Load an image from a file path
        using (var inputImage = Image.FromFile("path/to/your/image/file.webp"))
        {
            // Create a QrImageInput object from the image
            var qrImageInput = new QrImageInput(inputImage);

            // Decode the QR code from the image
            var result = BarcodeReader.Read(qrImageInput);

            // Iterate through each detected QR code and display its information
            foreach (var barcodeResult in result.Barcodes)
            {
                Console.WriteLine($"QR Code Data: {barcodeResult.Value}");
            }
        }
    }
}

// Import necessary IronQR and IronDrawing namespaces
using IronSoftware.Drawing; 
using IronBarcode;

public class QRCodeReader
{
    public static void Main()
    {
        // Load an image from a file path
        using (var inputImage = Image.FromFile("path/to/your/image/file.webp"))
        {
            // Create a QrImageInput object from the image
            var qrImageInput = new QrImageInput(inputImage);

            // Decode the QR code from the image
            var result = BarcodeReader.Read(qrImageInput);

            // Iterate through each detected QR code and display its information
            foreach (var barcodeResult in result.Barcodes)
            {
                Console.WriteLine($"QR Code Data: {barcodeResult.Value}");
            }
        }
    }
}

' Import necessary IronQR and IronDrawing namespaces
Imports IronSoftware.Drawing
Imports IronBarcode

Public Class QRCodeReader
	Public Shared Sub Main()
		' Load an image from a file path
		Using inputImage = Image.FromFile("path/to/your/image/file.webp")
			' Create a QrImageInput object from the image
			Dim qrImageInput As New QrImageInput(inputImage)

			' Decode the QR code from the image
			Dim result = BarcodeReader.Read(qrImageInput)

			' Iterate through each detected QR code and display its information
			For Each barcodeResult In result.Barcodes
				Console.WriteLine($"QR Code Data: {barcodeResult.Value}")
			Next barcodeResult
		End Using
	End Sub
End Class

Note: Replace "path/to/your/image/file.webp" with the actual path to your QR code image file.

Curious about the QR code value in the sample images? Give it a try using the code snippet!

Supported QR Code Types

Multiple types of QR codes are supported for both creation and reading. Below are the supported QR code types:

• QRCode: This is the standard QR code most commonly used today. It can store a significant amount of data (up to 7,089 numeric characters or 4,296 alphanumeric characters), making it suitable for a wide range of applications, from website URLs to contact information.

• MicroQRCode: The Micro QR Code is a smaller version of the standard QR code, designed for situations where space is limited. It can store less data than a standard QR code (up to 35 numeric characters or 21 alphanumeric characters), but its compact size makes it ideal for applications where a standard QR code would be too large, such as on small packaging or tiny printed labels.

• RMQRCode: RMQR Code (Rectangular Micro QR Code) is another compact version of the QR code but in a rectangular shape rather than a square. This version allows for flexibility in its aspect ratio, which can be useful for applications where a rectangular space is available. It can store data similar to the Micro QR Code but is designed for specific use cases where the available space is non-square.

Chaknith Bin

  Chat with engineering team now

Software Engineer

Chaknith works on IronXL and IronBarcode. He has deep expertise in C# and .NET, helping improve the software and support customers. His insights from user interactions contribute to better products, documentation, and overall experience.